UTSA softball secured a 8-7 victory against Wichita State University on Saturday at Roadrunner Field.
The Roadrunners (14-15) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning before surrendering seven runs over the next three frames. Wichita State (14-15) capitalized on a pair of home runs to take a three-run advantage in the fourth inning, but a pitching change to freshman pitcher Ava Eldridge stopped the bleeding.
“We just kept fighting back more and more,” Eldridge said of her performance. “It wasn’t about me, it was about helping the team and staying focused each inning.”
Eldridge entered with the bases loaded and two outs, then tossed three consecutive scoreless innings while allowing just one walk. With one out and a runner on first in the sixth inning, junior outfielder Katia Reyes drove in two runs with a single to give UTSA its second lead of the game, bringing home senior outfielder Lindsey Davis and sophomore outfielder Sydney McReynolds. Eldridge closed out the seventh, forcing three straight outs to secure the win.
UTSA set the tone early behind hits from freshman utility Sabrina Wick, freshman infielder Skylar Rucker and freshman catcher Makayla Madrid. The ‘Runners forced Wichita State’s right-handed pitcher Chloe Barber into early trouble, as Rucker stole home and Reyes added an RBI single to build the initial lead. However, the Shockers responded quickly with three runs in the second, tying the game after Reyes, pitching for UTSA, issued a bases-loaded walk.
Wichita State’s offensive momentum continued into the third and fourth innings. Outfielder Ellee Eck hit an RBI double in the third to give the Shockers a 4-3 lead, and in the fourth, outfielders Lauren Lucas and Jodie Epperson hit back-to-back home runs to push the margin to 7-4. After a walk and a single, Eldridge replaced freshman pitcher Reagan Stoudt in the circle and stopped the scoring threat with a flyout to end the inning.
“We knew we needed a fresh look and she hadn’t thrown yesterday,” coach Vann Stuedeman said. “She really spun it well and earned that moment.”
Madrid and Reyes led the offensive surge, as Madrid kept UTSA in the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth. The two would combine for seven of UTSA’s 13 hits. Sophomore outfielder Taryn Madlock trimmed the lead further in the fifth with a double before scoring on a sacrifice fly from Rucker to make it 7-6. Senior infielder Camryn Robillard ended the top of the fifth after turning a double play, and the Roadrunners rode the momentum the rest of the game.
“It felt really good to come through for the team,” Madrid said. “It meant a lot, especially after the way yesterday went.”
UTSA will face Wichita State again at 1 p.m. Sunday at Roadrunner Field.
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